Automatic alimentary paste producing apparatus



Sem. 6, H949.. c. AMBRETTE AUTOMATIC ALIMENTARY PASTE PRODUCING APPARATUS 4 Shee'ts-Sheet l Original Filed April .17, 1946 QWMYMMM Sept 6, 3949. C, AMBRETTE AUTOMATIC ALIMENTARY PASTE PRoDUcING APPARATUS Original Filed April 17, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 WWW/@ @7 p W49 c. AMBRETTE AUTOMATIC ALIMENTARY PASTE PRODUCING APPARATUS original Filed April 17, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Spt, 6, W49., c. AMBRETTE 2,48L275 AUTOMATIC ALIMENTARY PASTE FRODUCING APPARATUS Original Filed April 17, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Sept. 6, 1949 I AUTOMATIC ALIIVIENTARY PASTE PRO- DUCING APPARATUS f Conrad Ambrette, Brooklyn, NTY.

Original application April 17, 1946, Serial N0. 662,699. Divided and this application May 7,

1948, Serial No. 25,545

3 Claims.

(c1. 10d- 7 I This invention relates generally to apparatus for producing alimentary paste products, such as spaghetti, macaroni, and like forms thereof, wherein means is provided for delivering alimentary paste to and extruding it through forming die means, then cutting away the extruded paste strings from the' die means and racking the same upon racking rods, and then delivering the racked strings to drier apparatus, all in an automatic continuous manner; this application being a division of my co-pending application Serial No. 662,699, filed April 17th, 1946.

The invention has for an object to provide novel apparatus for extruding alimentary paste through an elongated die means soas to issue the same from the latter in linear rows of spaced strings adapted to be cut away from the die means to provide desired string lengths thereof, and then to automatically apply the strings to racking rods for delivery to and through drier apparatus wherein the operations of the cutting and racking mechanisms are -coordinated and controlled in time relation.

The invention has for a further object to provide, in .combination with an elongated die means, having its extrusion apertures `arranged in two linear rows, an individual paste string severing or cut off mechanism for each row of extrusion die apertures, said severing or cut off mechanisms being subject to coordinated alternate operation, whereby the respective rows of issued paste strings may be alternately detached from the die means, racked for conveyance to and through drier apparatus; means being provided for operating the paste string cutting, and racking mechanisms, in coordinated timed relation.

Other objects of this invention, not at this time more particularly enumerated, will be understood from the following detailed vdescription of the same. 1

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the apparatus according to this invention; Fig. 2 is a plan View of the means for delivering and distributing alimentary paste to the elongated die means of the apparatus, said view being drawn on an enlarged scale; and Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view, talren on line 3-3 in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the alimentary paste extrusion, cut off, rackingand conveying mechanisms of the apparatus; Fig. 5 isa fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on line 5-5 in Fig. 4, and in part schematically`shown,the'same showing the cut off mechanisms which are cooperative with the elongated die means of the apparatus; and Fig. 6 'is a fragmentary view, similar to that of Fig. 5, but showing another position of a cut oft mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a schematic wiring diagram showing the means whereby the operations of the various mechanisms ofthe lapparatus are coordinately timed and controlled.

Similar charactersof reference are employed in the hereinabove described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings the reference character IU indicates a framework by which is supported the die means, the paste string cut off means, and the paste string racking and conveyer means of the apparatus. Aixed to the framework at the top thereof, is an elongated extrusion die means comprising a die housing II which is suitably constructed to provide a longitudinally disposed die chamber I3.,` Said die plate I3 is provided with laterally spaced longitudinal rows of spacedV die apertures I4, substantially corresponding in length to the length of said die chamber I2.

Means is provided for continuously delivering plastic alimentary paste into the die chamber I2 under a constant pressure calculated to force the same outwardly from the latter through the rows of die apertures I4, whereby to extrude from said apertures linear rows of spaced alimentary paste strings, ready, to be cut away from the die means and thereupon racked, as will be subsequently more fully described. Said means comprises a suitable dough or paste mixing means I5 having a discharge head I6 in which is housed a rotatable feed screw Il. Said feed screw I1 is adapted to continuously discharge plastic dough or paste to and through means for distributing the same through multiple paths to the interior of the die chamber I2 along the entire length thereof, in such manner as to uniformly fill said die chainber, and to maintain therein expressing pressure upon the dough or paste -uniformly throughout the length of the die chamber and over the entire area of the apertured die plate I3, so that the strings of the dough or paste will be extruded from the dieapertures I4 at uniform speed and of uniform mass and `length at all points along the longitudinal rows of said apertures Ill.

The novel means vfor distributively delivering the plastic dough orpaste tothe die chamber I2, and so as to exert uniform expressing pressure upon the chamber content, comprises a feeder section I8, and asuccessionv ofv spreader sections connected togetherin `end to end relation between the mixer discharge head 'I6 and the die housing II for communication withthe die chamber I2 3 so as to simultaneously deliver the dough or paste into the latter along the entire length thereof. The number of spreader sections and the spreader passage branches thereof may be varied to suit the length of die means to be served. In an illustrative arrangementl of the dough or paste delivering means as shown, said feeder section I3 is internally divided to provide two laterally parallel passages I9 and I9', whereby the stream of dough or paste issuing from the mixing means is separated into two moving streams 'of 'equal volume and pressure. Connected with the discharge end of the feeder section I8 is a first spreader section 2D which diverges in width fron its' p'oint of coupled connection with lsaid feederA section. Said rst spreader section is provided with pairs of divergent dough or paste spreader passage branches leading from each feeder passage I9 and I9'. The pair of spreader passage branches leading from the feeder passage I9 comprises divergent branches 21 and 22 extending 'through the spreader section 2U atone side thereof, '-and; similarly a pair ofiiver'g'ent `branches 2l -and 22f leading-from he feeder' passage l`9 is pro- Vided to extend through the opposite side ofthe spreader section 20. The "outlet ""hds 'of said br'ancli'esV are subs-tan rally equi-spaced -laterally along the-discharge end f -s'aid spreaderfsection 20. Since the innermost branche'sZi-Zl eX- tend more the direct line of how fof doughv or paste from the feeder passages l`9--l 9'-, the same are "of a vsirneiii/'lietsmaller cross-sectional area thanth gross-sectional areas of the outermost bran-ches HL2-2f; thus providing comparatively greater restric on and consequent lresisl'iance to flow of dough or pastetherethrough than is offered lby the vcorfnparat-ively Alarger 'cross-'sectional jareaof the latter. As a consequence of this, the how of dough or paste is :somewhat retar'ded in the branches A2|`-2l, `lwhereby to aS- 'sure eiversinnf fdo'ugh or past-e for fui-1 new through and over the somewhat greater length of the branchesj'Z-LZZQ and thereby tofsubstantially eduali'ze `the lw pressure-throug-hfall ysaid branches. of said rst spreader fsectionv Z0 is a second spreader -s'ectidn 23 which also div`er`ges in width from its )point 'of Coupled connection with said rst spreader section. Said-'second spreader section 2 3 is provide' th pairs of divergent `dough or paste spreader passage branches leading from `each branch v21 i! Z-Zlf-Z. ofthe 'rstfspread- Yer section branchZ. The-pair cf branches leading from the lii'rst spreader section branch 2l comprises :divergentfbrach'es 24 and v25, which extend through the intermediate portion of the spreader section 23 'at onesid'e thereof, and, similarly, lthe 'pair yOf'brariches leading :from the "first spreader section branch 2l comprises 4like divergent branchesZd' and 25,which extend through the intermediate 'portion of the spreader section 23 at the opposite side thereof. The pair of branches leading vfrom 'the iirst spreader section branch 22 comprises 'divergent branches 26 rand 2l, whichextend through one outer side portion of the'spreader I'section 23,',and,`s'imilarly, the pair of branchesleadihg fro`rh the firstspreader'sec- `tion branch 22 cI'prS'eslike' divergent'branches (26 and 21', 'which 'extendithroiigh the 'opposite outer side ,portion of said spreader section 23.

Said several branchesof the second 'spreader section 23 'aretiiefoefdisposdinfaiiiied noticiation, `so that 'theirjoutlet V"ends "are substantially equi-spaced laterally alongthe, discharge erid of the same. As Ain the case 'of 'the'rst spreader Connected vlwith the discharge e'nd jvey'e'r chain 36. length that its upwardly moving loperative course moves through a curved path from the drive shaft 30 4to 1the"carrier Lsprocket 3'3. Axed to "the'conveyer chains '36, at suitably spaced inter'- 4 section 20, the branches of the respective groups of branches 24-25-26-21 and 24-25-25- 21 are progressively increased in cross-sectional area from those of smallest cross-sectional area comprising the innermost branches 2li-2li to those of greatest cross-sectional area comprising the outermost bianchesiT-:z'n so that restriction and resistance to Iiow of dough or paste therethrough is greatest with respect to said innermost branches and progressively diminishes with respect to outlying and lengthening branches, rea-ching a minimum with respect to the longest outermost branches, whereby to assure corpeh'sating progressive acceleration of dough tor paste hcw proportional to the increase of how 'path and thus to further assure full iiow 'of :dough or paste in all branches at substantially equalized and therefore uniform pressure.

The discharge end of said second spreader section 23 issuitably 'coupled 4to the die housing Il so that its 'several spreader 'passage branches are 'connected respectively 'in 'communication with admission ports '2B leading into the die chamber 'l 2, which v'ports are disposed {a't substantially equispaced `lo'ngi'tuzlihal. intervals throughout the length of said die chamber l'2 and the die plate By the described novel di's'tribiitive deiivery of dough or paste to the 'interior of the die means, the incoming dough or Ypaste exerts a constant and uniform .pressure upon the doughor paste content of the die chamber l2 throughout the entire length thereof, in other words, within the outlying end portions as-well las within the intermediate por-tion thereof. As A'a consequence of this, constant extruding pressure of -the dough or paste will vbe exerted luniformly over the entire area of the lap'ertured die plate i3, 'so that the extruded `paste strings` will Ybe expressed lfrom all die apertures at 4uniform speed and mass through the entire lengths of the rows -of -die apertures Hi. Supported by framework t0 beneath 'the die means -is rack rodloadin'g Yand. conveyer mechanism icy-means'of which Irows of paste strings, `issued 'from the die 'mea-'ns `are automatically looped over drier rack rods, and 'thereupon -de- `liverecl to drier apparatus. Mcunte'd on the `i'c'- S'pectv'e lside theirrbei's '29 "of the 'framework IU, within the lower part-'of the framework, are laterally spaced 'and aligned 'synchronously operated paste-strihgs l'ra'c "iig coriveyers, which are relatively spaced apar so as to Ipernit `'the Vrows of paste strings issuel lfrom the 'die means to descend between the rack r'od @receiving portions thereof. Each rackir'ig cn-veyer comprises a Adrive sprocket 30 of relatively Vlarge diameter, which is '--afiXedbh :a jalckishaft I'3| journaled in a supporting bearing 32 which is attached to a side member 29 ofthe framework lll. Mounted within the upper 'part of said framework I0, so as Ito be upwardly "and Aforwardly 'oset from 'the drive sprcket 30 with which lit is to'cooperatais a relatively small carrier sprocket33. ASaid carzrier sprocket 'is freely rotatable 'on a Vjack shaft "34 journaled in a supporting housing 35 which :is attached "to a side member "of the fframework io; aangemeten-over 'ahdfbetween the drive sprocket '30 andthe 'carriersprocket 33 isa con'- Th`e' 'conveyer chain 36 is of such valsv along the same, are rack rod engaging hooks 31. l

Supporting in connection with the framework I6 is a rack rod delivery chute means 38, the discharge end of which inclines downwardly so as to terminate adjacent to the rearward sides of the drive sprockets and the conveyer chains 36 running thereover, whereby to hold the lowermost rack rod R contained in the chute means 38 in the path of movement of approaching conveyer borne rod carrier hooks 3l, so that said rack rod may be picked up by the latter so Ias to extend between the conveyer chains, and so as to be carried on thereby.

The means `for driving the paste string rack rod loading and conveyer mechanism comprises a main drive shaft 39 which is journaled in bearings 46 supported by the lower part of the framework I6 to extend transversely between the framework side members 29 below the path of movement of loaded rack rods. Said main drive shaft 36 is driven by an electric motor 4l through sprocket and chain or other suitable transmission mechanism 42. Fixed on said main drive shaft 39 are driving sprockets 43 for Ioperating drive chains 44 which run over driven sprockets 45 xed on the res-pective jack shafts 3l. Said driving sprockets 43 Aand driven sprockets 45 are of such relative sizes las to furnish la reduction suitable to obtain a desired speed of movement of the rack rod loading mechanism.

Means are provided for automatically cutting away, at proper times, the rows of paste strings issued from the die means so `as to detach the same from the die plate I3, such means comprising an independent cutting mechanism for each row of Ipaste strings issued from the die paste apertures I4, each said cutting mechanism being actuated by its own power driven operating mechanism, but in altern-ated timed relation yone L to the other, and in timed relation to the operation of the rack rod loading mechanism, as will be hereinafter more fully described. i

Said cutting mechanisms are supported beneath the die housing II so that their cutter blades may cooperate with the exterior face of the `apertured die plate I3. Suspended by hangers 46 below and transverse to each end of the die housing lI 'are guide or track rods 4l. One

cutting mechanism, e. g. the forward cutting f,

mechanism A, comprises longitudinally opposed slide blocks 43 respectively movable on the forward portions of the guide or track rods 4l. Pivotally connected with each slide block 48 is an oscillatable bracket block 49. A forward cutter blade 56 is affixed -by its ends to and between said bracket blocks 49 to extend longitudinally along the forward portion of the die plate I3. Said bracket blocks 49 are spring urged to uptilted ,positions whereby to engage the cutting edge of the cutter blade 50 with the under Vface of the die plate I3. Pivotally supported by fulcruming means 5I mounted on an yadjacent side member 29 at each side of the `framework'are cutter blade operating levers 52, which are pivota-lly connected at their upper ends with the respective slide blocks 48. The other cutting mechanism, e. g. the rearward cutting mechanisrn B, similarly -comprises longitudinally opposed slide blocks 48' respectively movable' on the rearward portions of the guide or track rods 4l. Pivotally connected with each slide block 4B is an oscillat-able bracket block 49'. A rearward cutter blade 50 is aihxed by its ends to and between said bracket blocks 49 to extend longitudinally along the rearward portion of the die :plate I3.` 'Said' bracket blocks 49'. are spring urged to :uptilted positions whereby itc engage the cutting edgeof the cutter blade 50' with the under face ofthe die plate I3. Pivotally-supported by fulcruming means5l' mounted on an adjacent.` side member 29 at each. side of the framework are cutter blade operating llevers 52', which are'pivot'ally connected at their upper ends with the respective slide blocks 48.

i A compression spring 53 is mounted on each guide or track rod 4l between the slide blocks 48 and 46', whereby to yieldably retract said slide blocks, cutter blades and operating levers to.y normal linitial-.positions after actuation of the cutter bladesto effect cutting strokes thereof.

The means `for actuating the forward cutting: mechanism A comprises jack shafts 54 respectively journaled in bearings supported by the respective sideA members 29 of the framework'. Fixed on each jack shaft 54, for cooperation with the lowerY end portion of an adjacent cutter blade operating lever .52, is an actuating cam '55. Each cam- 55 is provided with a crank pin 56 set eccentric to the axisfoftrotation. of the cam. Each oscillatable bracket block 49 is provided with Aa projecting` arm 5l to which is pivotally connected a linkilt.. The lower `ends of the links 58 are provided with slots 59 in which the crank pins 56 engage The means for operating the jack shafts 5st and their cams 55 comprises a driven shaft 66 which isjournaled in and between the side members 25 at the back of the frame-work. Said jack shafts 54 are each driven from the shaft 60 by sprocket and chain or other suitable tr'ansmission means 6I. `Said shaft 60 is independently driven by an electric motor 62 `through sprocket and chain or other suitable transmission means 53.

The means for actuating the rearward cutting mechanism B similarly comprises jack shafts 54' respectivelyf-journaled in bearings supported by therespective side members 29 of the framework. Fixed on each jack shaft 54', for cooperation with the lower end portion of an adjacent cutter blade operating lever 52', i's'an actuating cam 55'. Each cam 55 is provided with a crank pin 56' set eccentric to the axis of rotation of the cam. Each oscillatable bracket block t9 is provided-with a projecting arm 51' to which is pivotally connected a link 58. The lower ends of the links 58' are provided with slots 59 in which the crank pins 56 engage. The means for actuating the jack shafts 54 and their cams 55 comprises a driven shaft v64 which is journaled in land between the side members 29 at theback of the framework'and spaced from and parallel to the driven shaft 60. Said jack shafts ,54' areeach driven from the shaft 64 by sprocket and chain or other suitable transmission means 65. `Said shaft 64 is independently drivenby an electric motor 66 through sprocket and chain Vor other suitable transmission means 61.

Each of the cutting'mechanisms A and B, when actuated, operate alike, so that description ofthe operation of one, as e. g. the cutting mechanism B, will apply equally to the other. In operation therefore the cutting mechanism B functions as follows:

When the cams 5'5 occupy normal initial positions, thev bracket blocks 49' occupy uptilted but positioned positions, whereby the cutter blade 56' operatively positioned preparatory to a cutting stroke. The uptilted bracket blocks 49 draw upward the .li-nks58", yso that the slots 59' of the latter are positioned to Yembrace by their lower ends the cooperating crank pins 56. When the motor ISii is started, its power is transmitted t'o the Acams'55, soi that thesame are rotated to engage theblade operating levers 52 so as to rock the same in direction to advance' the cutter bl'atleSl-along' the underface of the die plate |3, and across the adjacent rows of apertures I4, whereby to sever the paste strings that have issuedfromthe latter (see Fig. .During the cutting stroke of the cutter blade '58', the crank pins 55willride upwardly and then downwardly in the slots 59 of the links 58', and consequently will impart no movement to said links. After the cutter blade 50 completes its cutting stroke, the rotating cams 55 will start to withdraw from the operating levers 52', thus permitting the springs 53 to thrust back the slide blocks 48 and thus impart retractive movement to the cutter blade 55. At' this time, the crank pins 56 will have descended the slots 59 so as to abut the lower ends thereof, whereupon the continuing rotation of the cams `55 and accompanying downward movement of the crank pins 56' will draw down `thelinks 58' with down swinging effect upon the bracket blocks 49', whereby to down swing and hold down swung the cutter blade 50 away from the underface of the die plate I3 (see Fig. 6) while said blade moves back to and until it resumes normal initialre'tracted position, and thus completes the cycle of operation of said cutting mechanismB.

The rack rod loading mechanism is intermittently operated in timed relation to emission of paste strings from the die means. The dough or paste is continuously emitted from the rows of die plate apertures I4. In the operation of the rack rod loading mechanism, the paste string loading conveyer 35 is brought to rest in position behind the forming forward row of paste strings, which due to the timed alternated operation of the outting mechanisms A and B is completed in advance of the completion of the rearward row of paste strings. At the-proper time, the looping conveyer 36 is started, whereby the rack rod R positioned thereby will be moved forward against said forward row of paste strings. The rack rod R contacts the paste strings at approximate mid points ofthelengths thereof, and as the rod is moved outwardly and upwardly, the strings will be looped thereon. After the rod has been advanced and raised to a predetermined point, the cutting mechanism, operative upon the forward row of paste strings, will be actuated, so as to out away the latter from the die plate, thus permitting the trailing end portions to drop, thus completing the looping of the strings over the rod so as to load the same thereon.V The continuing advance of the conveyer'36 thereupon carries the loaded rod to the discharge and transfer conveyer means hereinafter described, by means of which the loaded rod is delivered to and for movement through drier apparatus. In the meantime, emission of the rearward row of paste strings to proper length is completed, and a second rack rod R, which has been picked up by the conveyer 36, is engaged with said rearward row of paste strings-and advanced therewith so as to loop said strings thereover, whereupon at the proper time, the cuttingjmechanism operative upon said second row of` paste strings will be actuated, so as to out away the trailing end portions thereof from the die plate. The conveyer 36 is continued in operation to bringa succeeding rack rod R into posi- 8 tion,y whereupon the conveyer is stopped until emission of a succeeding forward row of paste strings is completed, whereafter repetition of the above described cycle of rack lrod loading operations occurs.

The above described rack rod loading and related lpaste string cut off operations are coordinately timedand controlled by electro-mechanical control means, thecharacter of which is schematically illustrated in Fig. 'l of the drawings, and which comprises, in connection with associated agencies, a timer |90, a starting or control box |0|, a starting or control box |02, and a starting or control box |03. Said starting or control boxes are connected in a power circuit Ilm-|05. The motor 4| which drives the rack rod loading mechanism is started, at predetermined time intervals, by the timer |i acting through the starting or control box lill, thereby rotating the drive sprockets '30 of the conveyer 36. As said sprockets revolve, a trip pin I6, mounted on one thereof, is moved thereby to engage and close a switch |01 at the proper time, whereby to energize the motor 52 through the starting or control box |02, thus initiating operation of the paste string cutting mechanism A, whereby its cutter blade is caused to eiiect a cutting stroke cycle. Upon completion of the cutting stroke cycle of cutting mechanism A, a trip pin |08, which revolves with the cam 55, engages and momentarily opens a switch |59, which operates, through said starting or control box |02, to stop the motor 62. As this conveyer sprocket Si) Acontinues to revolve, and as the cycle of operation of cutting mechanism A is completed, said trip pin IUS is advanced to engage and close a switch V| Il] at the proper time, whereby to energize the motor 66 through the starting or control box |03, thus initiating operation of the paste string cutting mechanism B, whereby its cutter blade l50' is caused to effect a cutting stroke cycle. Upon completion of such cutting strokecycle, a trip pin l I, which revolves with the cam engages and momentarily opens a switch ||2, which operates, through the starting or control box |83, to stop the motor 66. As the conveyer sprocket 3G completes its revolution, another trip pin H3 carried thereby engages and momentarily opens a switch IM, which operates, through the starting or control box IDI, to stop the motor 4| which drives the rack loading mechanism, thus completing a cycle of operation of the latter. The timer lil functions thereafter to repeat said cycles of operation of the rack rod loading mechanism at predetermined intervals, according to the adjusted setting of said timer device.

Extending from the discharge end of said rack rod loading conveyer 36 is an outgoing discharge conveyer means 68, preferably of the sprocket and chain type, upon which the loaded rack rods R are deposited by the conveyer 3B. Said discharge conveyer means is driven by the jack shafts 34, and said jack shafts are in turn driven by chain and sprocket or other suitable transmission means 89 from the jack shafts 3| which drive the sprockets 3i) of the conveyer 33. Said transmission means 69 is so designed that the linear speed of said discharge conveyer means 63 somewhat exceeds that of the loading conveyer 36. Said discharge conveyer means leads to a transfer conveyer means ,'l by which the loaded rack rods are automatically ycarried from said discharge .conveyer means 68, to vdrier apparatus 1|, to be automatically -moved through the latter and nally discharged therefrom, ready for packaging 9 of the product for distribution; all whereby the operations from mixing of the dough or paste in the mixer I to discharge of the finished product at the outlet of the drier apparatus is entirely automatic. without necessity for intermediate handling of the material at any point.

The apparatus, as above described, is primarily adapted to automatically and continuously produce long paste products; means may be included, however, for optionally producing short paste products as well. To the latter end, a short paste extrusion head die means 8i) may be interposed between the discharge head I6 of the mixer apparatus l5 and the paste delivery and spreading means leading to the long paste extrusion die housing l I (see Fig. l) In such case, a rotary cutting means 8| is provided for cooperation with the short paste extrusion die means 80, the same being driven by suitable transmission means 82 operated from the same power by which the mixer apparatus is operated. To permit selective use of said short and long paste producingmeans, means (not shown) for optionally plugging either the one or the other against iiow of dough or paste thereto from the mixer apparatus may be provided.

Various changes can be made in the above described apparatus for automatically and continuously producing alimentary paste products without departing from the scope of the invention as dened in the following claims. It is therefore intended that all matter described in the foregoing specication and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a continuous paste production apparatus having die means through which paste strings are emitted in a linear roW, a paste string rack rod loading mechanism including a conveyer having means to engage and carry a rod against an emitted row of strings, whereby to loop said strings over the rod for suspension therefrom, paste string cut oiT mechanism cooperative with the die means adapted to cut the trailing ends of the rod loadable strings away from said die means, electric motor actuated means for driving said rack rod loading mechanism, another electric motor actuated means for operating said cut off mechanism, and electric mechanical means for coordinately timing the operations of said rack rod loading and cut oif mechanisms, comprising timer controlled means for periodically starting the actuating motor of said rack rod loading mechanism, a control means for the motor actuated cut off mechanism driving means including starting and stopping switch means respectively operable by said rack loading mechanism and said cut off mechanism, and switch means also operable by said rack rod loading mechanism for stopping operation thereof.

2. In a continuous paste production apparatus having die means through which paste strings are emitted in a linear row, a paste string rack rod loading mechanism including a conveyer having means to engage and carry a rod against an emitted row of strings, whereby to loop said strings over the rod for suspension therefrom, paste string cut oi mechanism cooperative with the die means adapted to cut the trailing ends of the rod loadable strings away from said die means, electric motor actuated means for driving said rack rod loading mechanism, another electric motor actuated means for operating said cut oi mechanism, and electric mechanical means for coordinately timing the operations of said rack loading and cut off mechanisms, comprising timer controlled means for periodically starting the actuating motor of said rack rod loading mechanism, a control means for the motor actuated cut off mechanism driving means including a starting switch and trip means carried by the rack rod loading conveyer for operating said starting switch, and a stop switch and trip means carried by said cut oif mechanism for operating said stop switch, a stop switch for said rack rod loading mechanism, and trip means also carried by the rack rod loading conveyer for operating said last mentioned stop switch.

3. In a continuous paste production apparatus having die means through which paste strings are emitted in two linearly extending laterally spaced rows, a paste string rack rod loading mechanism including a conveyer having means to successively engage and carry rods against the emitted rows of strings, whereby to loop said strings over the rods for suspension therefrom, a paste string cut oi mechanism operation to cut the trailing ends of one row of rod loadable strings away from the die means, a second paste string cut oi mechanism operative to cut the trailing ends of the other row of rod loadable strings away from the die means, electric motor actuated means for driving the rack rod loading mechanism, a second electric motor actuated means for operating the rst mentioned cut off mechanism, a third electric motor actuated means for operating the second cut oil? mechanism, and electro-mechanical means for coordinately timing the operations of said rack loading means and the cut off mechanism comprising timer controlled means for periodically starting the actuating motor of said rack loading mechanism, a control means for the actuating motor of said first mentioned cut ofi mechanism including a starting switch means operable by the rackrodloading mechanism and a stopping switch means operable by said iirst mentioned cut off mechanism, a control means for the actuating motor of said second cut oii' mechanism including a second starting switch means operable by the rack rod loading mechanism and a stopping switch means operable by said second cut oli mechanism, and additional switch means also operable by the rack rod loading mechanism for stopping operation thereof.

CONRAD AMBRETTE.

No references cited. 

